Frigus . Sirius Black (Mortem BOOK 2)

chapter fifty-eight

(this takes place right at the end of the last chapter, as in the same day) 

March 10th, 1980 - Lupin Cottage 

Sirius had woken up a few minutes prior, and was slowly drinking a draught Lily had prepared for him as he was listening to Fabian recount the events of that night. No one was speaking, those who had been there were too busy thinking of how fast the situation had changed, and those who were hearing it for the first time were far too shocked to say anything. 

Nine people, dead. 

Castiel and the Lestranges had gotten away. 

Nephera had crucioed the Minister of Magic in front of the entire Auror force. 

It was a lot to take in, especially for Sirius who was still feeling slightly dizzy from the curse that had been placed on him, "What-" he shook his head, "They got away? Nine people died?" 

Nephera, who had been blankly staring at a wall as soon as Fabian had begun speaking, raised her eyes to meet her wizard's gaze, "Are you angry?" she asked simply 

"Nine people? Dead? For me?" repeated Sirius, his voice getting slightly louder with every sentence, "You crucioed the Minister? The Minister, Nephera! You got yourself thrown in Azgaban! You let nine people die-" 

"I would've let ninety people die if it meant you were safe, if it meant anyone in this room was safe!" she cut him off, her voice raising quickly before she dropped it back down again, "And you would do the same, and you know it," 

Sirius sighed, leaning back on the couch and closing his eyes to try and contain his headache, "I know, I know," he said, "I'm sorry, I just- How the hell are you going to get out of this, Nephera?" 

She too leaned back, pinching the bridge of her nose, "I don't know," 

Someone apparated outside, and Marlene and Dorcas grabbed their wands and peeked out of the curtain, "It's just Moody," said the blonde, easing the tension in the room ever-so-slightly 

The one-legged man entered the cottage, raking his eyes over everyone before they landed on the brunette witch, "Are you here to arrest me?" she asked jokingly, knowing he'd never do that 

"I'm supposed to be," he replied, "You all need to go back to Grimmauld, they can't enter in there, it's protected property by the Ministry," 

Madeye was right about that. A decades ago, in the late 1950s, Orion's father had signed a decree within the Ministry which declared Grimmuald Place null ground, meaning that no Ministry officials could legally enter. The Minister hadn't liked it at the time, but he signed it in exchange for money and support from the Blacks. That didn't matter to any of them though, the only thing that mattered was that as long as Nephera remained there, the Ministry officials couldn't get to her. 

Which is why in a flurry of apparitions and floo-powder, the group of stressed out young adults moved from Lupin cottage to the hidden townhouse, "What did the Minister say?" asked Peter once they had all settled down in the living room 

Moody sighed, sitting down and resting his pegleg on the ottoman in front of him, "He's out for her head, what the hell did you expect?" he grunted out, "He'd got the entire force looking for her-" 

"Can't you do anything to stall him? I mean, you're head of the Auror office, couldn't you order them to stand down?" asked James 

Madeye shook his head, "He knows I'm close with her, he won't listen to me right now," he explained 

Nephera poured herself another glass of whiskey, drinking it all in one big gulp, "You're all going to be in deep shit over tonight," she said, "They'll be bringing you in for questioning, possibly even trial if you refuse to answer- Fuck,"